Hub generator



Dec. 9, 1941. G SQHWABV 2,265,454

HUB GENERATOR Filed Aug. l, 1939 Patented Dec. 9, 1941 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE' HUB GENERATOR George Il. Schwab, Denver, Colo.Application August 1, 1939, Serial No. 287,722

(Cl. Til-209) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in electrical generators, moreparticularly in small generators adapted to be incorporated in the hubof a wheel of a bicycle or like vehicle.

As is well-known, it is desirable to provide a headlight and tail-lightfor a bicycle to facilitate travel at night. Heretofore it has beendiflicult to provide a satisfactory source of electrical energy for suchlights because, for instance, batteries will run down sooner or later,and former means of driving small generators on bicycles have provenunsatisfactory.

The principal object of the present invention is to construct arelatively small electrical generator that is adapted to be incorporatedin the hub of a bicycle wheel to be driven by said wheel in order toprovide a continuous and dependable source of electrical energy forlights on the vehicle, for operating either visual or audible signals,or for any other purpose.

Another and more particular object is to provide a small generator ofthis character that is extremely simple in design and arranged togenerate an electric current even when the vehicle into which it isbuilt, is operated at relatively slow speeds.

Still another object is to provide a combination axle shaft andelectrical generator that readily may be incorporated into an ordinaryfront wheel of a bicycle or similar vehicle.

Other objects and advantages reside in details of design andconstruction which will be more fully disclosed in the followingdescription and in the drawing wherein like parts have been similarlydesignated and in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary elevation partially in section, illustrating adevice made according to the present inventive concept;

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

In order to disclose an operable reduction to practice of the presentinvention, reference will be had in detail to the accompanying drawing.However, it is to be understood that the example herewith illustratedand described is not intended to express or imply any limitation to thescope of this inventive concept, which is measured by the appendedclaims.

In the drawing, reference character 2 denotes an offset or spanner shaftthat is particularly adapted for use in the hub of a bicycle wheel orthe like. Flanged disks 3 are rotatably mounted upon the shaft 2 andthey may be provided with suitable anti-friction bearings 3a.

In one of the anged disks 3 is located an internal gear 4 in which apinion 5 meshes to drive a gear 6, which in turn meshes with a pinion 1upon a shaft 8 which carries a magnetic rotor 9 positioned in the fieldof a laminated stator I0 which is suitably supported upon nonrotaryplates I2. The rotor shaft 8 is also journalled in the plates I2.

The stator I0 has a eld winding I4, one terminal of which may beconveniently grounded to the vehicle as at I3. The other terminal of thefield winding is insulated from the vehicle and may be passed through ahole along the center line of the shaft 2 and thence to the lamps on thevehicle or to any other device to be electrically energized. Theinsulated conductor leading from the eld winding I4 is represented atI3a.

The usual front fork of the bicycle frame is indicated at I5 and iscarried upon the shaft 2. The usual spokes of the wheel may be attachedto the flanges of the anged disks 3, as shown at I6, and the entiregenerator assembly may be conveniently housed from dust, mud or otherforeign matter, by a cylindrical housing I1.

The offset in the axle shaft 2 provides room for the generator assemblywithin the hub or housing I1, and the stationary plates I2 that supportthe generator assembly are carried upon said shaft 2.

It is clearly obvious that when the front wheel of the bicycle, asrepresented by the spokes I6, is rotated, the magnetic rotor 9 of thegenerator will be turned at a much higher relative speed due to itsgeared connection with one of the flanged disks 3. Thus when the vehicleis operated even at a comparatively slow speed, the generator willoperate at suiiicient speed to deliver a usable flow of electricalenergy. Naturally, at increased vehicle speed, a greater iiow ofelectrical energy will be produced by the generator.

The entire assembly is extremely compact and well enclosed forprotection. It can readily be installed in the hub of any ordinarybicycle wheel or the like, where it is free from accidental contact withany other object, and entirely out of the way of the operator.

The offset shaft 2 and the offset relationship of the rotor in thestator all cooperate in combination to enable the generator assembly tobe placed within the hub I1 in an unusually compact arrangement.

1. The combination with a vehicle Wheel, of a 1 non-rotary shaft for theWheel having a central crank-like portion offset with reference to theaxis of rotation of said wheel, an electrical generator inclusive of arotor and a stator carried upon said shaft and extending into the spaceprovided by said offset, and means for driving the generator by rotationof the Wheel.

2. The combination with a vehicle wheel, of a non-rotary shaft for theWheel having a central crank-like portion offset with reference to theaxis of rotation of the Wheel, plates carried upon the shaft in axiallyspaced relationship to each other, an electrical generator inclusive ofa rotor and a stator carried on and between said plates and extendinginto the space provided by said offset, and means for driving the rotorby rotation cf the wheel.

GEORGE L. SCHWAB.

